How to install holiday.com’s eSIM on Android

Welcome to your holiday.com setup! Because we exclusively offer eSIMs, you can skip the hassle of buying or swapping physical SIM cards.

Before diving in, here is a quick look at the two steps to get you connected:

• Installation (The Download): Saving the digital eSIM profile to your phone. We recommend doing this before you travel while you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. (Don't worry, this does not start your plan's timer!)
• Activation (The Connection): Turning the eSIM on to connect to the local network once you arrive at your destination. This is when your data plan's or bundle’s timer officially begins.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to successfully install and activate your holiday.com eSIM on an Android device:

Before you start, make sure you have the following: 

• An eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked Android Device.
• A stable internet connection.

NOTE: Once installed, your eSIM cannot be moved to a different device or reinstalled if removed/deleted.

Here are general steps that apply to most Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices. Depending on the operating system of your device, slight differences should be expected.

For Samsung Galaxy Devices:

Part 1: How to Install your eSIM

We highly recommend completing these steps before you leave for your trip. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection as well. 

1. Download the holiday.com app. Find the holiday.com eSIM app in the Google Play Store, and click Install to download our app.
2. Sign up/sign in using your preferred login method. You may choose to sign in using Google or ExpressVPN. 
3. Once logged in, click on the Install eSIM button. Follow the steps to complete the installation. 

Part 2: How to Activate your eSIM

Complete the next steps only after arriving at your destination and entering your plan's coverage area. Doing so earlier may result in an error or early activation of your plan/bundle. 

1. After arriving at your destination/plan’s coverage area, go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. Toggle the holiday eSIM ON. Completing this step earlier may result in an error or early activation of your plan/bundle.
2. Under the same settings, select Preferred SIMs, tap Mobile Data, and select your holiday.com eSIM.
3. Next, go to Connections > Mobile networks and look for Access Point Names or APN. In the field, enter globaldata and save the change.
4. Open the phone Settings > Connection > eSIM. Turn on the holiday.com eSIM and set is your preferred SIM for Mobile Data. 
5. Navigate to the Mobile networks screen, toggle ON Data roaming. Your device should automatically connect to a supported network upon arrival at a supported destination for your chosen data plan.

For Google Pixel Devices:

Part 1: How to Install your eSIM

We highly recommend completing these steps before you leave for your trip. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection as well. 

1. Find the holiday.com eSIM app in the Google Play Store, and click Install to download our app.
2. Sign up/sign in using your preferred login method. You may choose to sign in using Google or ExpressVPN. 
3. Once logged in, click on the Install eSIM button. Follow the steps to complete the installation.

Part 2: How to Activate your eSIM

Complete the next steps only after arriving at your destination and entering your plan's coverage area. Doing so earlier may result in an error or early activation of your plan/bundle.

1. After arriving at your destination/plan’s coverage area, go to Network & internet > SIMs, select your holiday.com eSIM, then scroll down to Access Point Names or APN, enter globaldata, and save the change. Completing this step earlier may result in an error or early activation of your plan/bundle.
2. Toggle ON the following settings: Use eSIM, Mobile data, and Roaming. Select the holiday.com eSIM as your Mobile Data preference. Your device should automatically connect to a supported network upon arrival at a supported destination for your chosen data plan.

Need help installing the eSIM on another device? Head over to our guide on how to install an eSIM using a QR code.

For Other Android Devices: 

Part 1: How to Install your eSIM

We highly recommend completing these steps before you leave for your trip. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection as well. 

1. Download the holiday.com app. Find the holiday.com eSIM app in the Google Play Store (or the app store your Android device uses).
2. Sign up/sign in using your preferred login method. You may choose to sign in using Google or ExpressVPN.
3. Once logged in, click on the Install eSIM button. Follow the steps to complete the installation.

Part 2: How to Activate your eSIM

Complete the next steps only after arriving at your destination and entering your plan's coverage area. Doing so earlier may result in an error or early activation of your plan/bundle.

1. After arriving at your destination/plan’s coverage area, go to Network Settings, then tap Network & Internet > Mobile network (or SIMs, if you have multiple SIM/eSIMs), select your holiday.com eSIM, then scroll down to Access Point Names or APN, enter globaldata, and save the change. Completing this step earlier may result in an error or early activation of your plan/bundle.
2. Select the holiday.com eSIM as your Mobile Data preference.
3. Toggle the following settings ON: Use eSIM, Mobile data, and Roaming. Your device should automatically connect to a supported network upon arrival at a supported destination for your chosen data plan.

Common eSIM installation issues that you may run into: 

• Device gets stuck on "Activating..." or fails setup due to a poor Wi-Fi connection or active VPN.
• Receive a "Code Already Used" error because the QR code was already scanned or installed in the background.
• Encounter a storage limit error
• Installation fails, or takes too long to complete 

If you run into any of these issues while installing the eSIM, contact the support team through the help button in the holiday.com app or by sending an email to support@holiday.com.